![The ruins of the west front of Downhill House at Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne, County Londonderry](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/library/ruins-building-mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne-183758.jpg?auto=webp&width=767&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Bishop's Gate walking trail
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the beautiful Downhill Demesne with its scenic sheltered gardens and clifftops. Visit the apple orchard in the walled garden and the striking 18th-century folly, Mussenden Temple, originally inspired by the Tivoli Temple of Vesta.
Total steps: 5
Total steps: 5
Start point
Bishop's Gate, grid ref: C761354
Step 1
Start at the Bishop's Gate entrance to the Demesne and enter into the Bishop's Gate Gardens.
![Gardener working in the bog garden at Bishop's Gate at Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, County Londonderry](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/library/gardener-bishops-gate-at-downhill-demesne-county-londonderry-1407929.jpg?auto=webp&width=684&dpr=2 2x)
Step 2
Take the right track and pass through a arboretum with many rare tree species.
![Visitor walking in Bishops Gate Garden at Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne, County Londonderry](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/library/autumn/visitor-walk-garden-trees-mussenden-temple-downhill-demesne-1594761.jpg?auto=webp&width=684&dpr=2 2x)
Step 3
Follow signs for Mussenden Temple and you will soon leave the trees behind to enter an area of open grassland with views of the majestic ruins of Downhill House.
Step 4
You can turn left towards the Walled Garden or explore the ruin – either way the paths will lead you towards Mussenden Temple, perched on the cliff edge. From here you can enjoy dramatic views of the Inishowen Peninsula.
![A visitor and child standing in a field of yellow flowers with Mussenden Temple in the background, with other visitors flying kites in the distance](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/library/spring/visitors-mussenden-temple-downhill-demesne-county-londonderry-1426682.jpg?auto=webp&width=684&dpr=2 2x)
Step 5
Follow the path along the cliff towards the east and you will come to a small collection of trees: take the stile on the left side. Steps lead you down to the pond and back to Bishops Garden.
![Bishop's Gate bog garden at Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/library/bishops-gate-bog-garden-mussenden-temple-downhill-demesne-county-londonderry-1407834.jpg?auto=webp&width=684&dpr=2 2x)
End point
Bishop's Gate, grid ref: C761354
Trail map
![Downhill Demesne Walking Trail](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne/library/gis_browser_screenshot.png?auto=webp&width=767&dpr=2 2x)
Get in touch
Mussenden Road, Castlerock, County Londonderry, BT51 4RP
Our partners
![Cotswold Outdoor](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/partners/cotswold-outdoor-logo.jpg?auto=webp&width=156&crop=1:1&dpr=2 2x)
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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